Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4

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AAPL: Moderator; Posts: 2632; Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:08 pmFollowed by: 2 members

by AAPL » Tue Jan 29, 2019 3:48 am

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Manhattan Prep

Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws?

A. 1/5^4
B. 1/5^3
C. 6/5^4
D. 13/5^4
E. 17/5^4

OA E

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Tue Jan 29, 2019 3:48 am

fskilnik@GMATH: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1449; Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:16 pmFollowed by: 33 members; Thanked: 59 times

by fskilnik@GMATH » Tue Jan 29, 2019 4:00 am

AAPL wrote:Manhattan Prep

Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws?

A. 1/5^4
B. 1/5^3
C. 6/5^4
D. 13/5^4
E. 17/5^4

$$P\left( {{\rm{success}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,\,{\rm{any}}\,\,{\rm{throw}}} \right) = {1 \over 5}$$
$$? = P\left( {{\rm{success}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{all}}\,\,4\,\,{\rm{throws}}} \right) + P\left( {{\rm{success}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{exactly}}\,\,3\,\,{\rm{throws}}} \right)$$
$$\left. \matrix{
P\left( {{\rm{success}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{all}}\,\,4\,\,{\rm{throws}}} \right)\,\,\,\mathop = \limits^{{\rm{independency}}} \,\,\,{\left( {{1 \over 5}} \right)^4} = {1 \over {{5^4}}} \hfill \cr
P\left( {{\rm{success}}\,\,{\rm{in}}\,{\rm{exactly}}\,\,3\,\,{\rm{throws}}} \right)\,\,\,\mathop = \limits^{{\rm{independency}}} \,\,\,C\left( {4,3} \right) \cdot {\left( {{1 \over 5}} \right)^3} \cdot {4 \over 5}\,\,\, = \,\,\,{{4 \cdot 4} \over {{5^4}}}\,\,\,\, \hfill \cr} \right\}\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,? = {{1 + 16} \over {{5^4}}}\,\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\left( {\rm{E}} \right)$$

We follow the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
Fabio.

Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br

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Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Jan 29, 2019 5:44 am

AAPL wrote:Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws?

A. 1/5^4
B. 1/5^3
C. 6/5^4
D. 13/5^4
E. 17/5^4
OA E

Given: P(succeeds on 1 throw) = 1/5

P(succeeds at least 3 times) = P(succeeds 4 times OR succeeds 3 times)
= P(succeeds 4 times) + P(succeeds 3 times)

P(succeeds 4 times)
P(succeeds 4 times) = P(succeeds 1st time AND succeeds 2nd time AND succeeds 3rd time AND succeeds 4th time)
= P(succeeds 1st time) x P(succeeds 2nd time) x P(succeeds 3rd time) x P(succeeds 4th time)
= 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5
= 1/5â�´

P(succeeds 3 times)
Let's examine one possible scenario in which Leila succeeds exactly 3 times:
P(FAILS the 1st time AND succeeds 2nd time AND succeeds 3rd time AND succeeds 4th time)
= P(FAILS the 1st time) x P(succeeds 2nd time) x P(succeeds 3rd time) x P(succeeds 4th time)
= 4/5 x 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5
= 4/5â�´
Keep in mind that this is only ONE possible scenario in which Leila succeeds exactly 3 times (Leila fails the 1st time).
Leila can also FAIL the 2nd time, or the 3rd time or the 4th time.
Each of these probabilities will also equal 4/5Â³
So, P(succeeds 3 times) = 4/5â�´ + 4/5â�´ + 4/5â�´ + 4/5â�´
= 16/5â�´

So, P(succeeds AT LEAST 3 times) = P(succeeds 4 times) + P(succeeds 3 times)
= 1/5â�´ + 16/5â�´
= 17/5â�´

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

swerve: Legendary Member; Posts: 2535; Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 pmFollowed by: 6 members

by swerve » Tue Jan 29, 2019 11:32 am

P (that she succeeds) = 1/5
P(of success exactly 3 times) = 1/5*1/5*1/5*4/5 = 4/5^4. Now, these can occur in 4!/3!*1! = 4. hence, P(success 3 times)= 4*4/5^4
P (success all 4 times)= 1/5^4
Answer= 16/5^4+1/5^4 = 17/5^4.

Regards!

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Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8132; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 amFollowed by: 29 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:36 pm

AAPL wrote:Manhattan Prep

Leila is playing a carnival game in which she is given 4 chances to throw a ball through a hoop. If her of success on each throw is 1/5, what is the chance that she will succeed on at least 3 of the throws?

A. 1/5^4
B. 1/5^3
C. 6/5^4
D. 13/5^4
E. 17/5^4

OA E

We need to determine the probability that Leila succeeds on exactly 3 throws OR on all 4 throws.

Scenario 1: succeeds on exactly 3 throws

We can let Y denote a successful throw and N denote a non-successful throw:

P(Y-Y-Y-N) = 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5 x 4/5 = 4/(5^4)

However, we must account for the order of Y-Y-Y-N. Using our formula for indistinguishable items, Y, Y, Y, and N can be arranged in 4!/3! = 4 ways.

Thus, the probability of succeeding on exactly 3 throws (out of 4 attempts) is 4/(5^4) x 4 = 16/(5^4).

Scenario 2: succeeds on all 4 attempts

P(Y-Y-Y-Y) = 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5 x 1/5 = 1/(5^4)

Thus, the probability of succeeding on 3 throws out of 4 or 4 throws out of 4 is 16/(5^4) + 1/(5^4) = 17/5^4.

Answer: E

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

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